As soon as Arenrore sat down at the table, he unfolded the menu. The menu was crafted from wood, its edges polished smooth from years of handling. With each flip of the pages, he wore his characteristic cheerful smile, lightly clapping his hands before exclaiming.
"Rude, my dear friend! A humble meal like this won't do to bid farewell to these esteemed guests departing tomorrow. Tonight, I'll order the finest dishes this tavern has to offer and treat everyone!"
He turned his head to survey the tavern, then beckoned a nearby serving girl with a wave. She approached with a surprised expression, and Arenrore leaned slightly forward in his chair, raising his voice with gusto.
"Bring us a generous portion of smoked thick sausages, piled high on the platter. Add the chicken dish simmered long with rice. No, we can't forget the big-mouthed fish dish either! Douse it generously with oil to make it gleam! And the goose meat stir-fried with green and yellow beans, please. Ah! Finally, bring the deep-scented spirit distilled from wine, and that trendy transparent liquor infused with juniper berry aroma."
The tavern maid blinked in slight confusion, her face quizzical, but upon seeing Arenrore's exuberant expression, she soon nodded.
"Yes, I'll prepare it right away."
Arenrore spread his hands wide and grinned.
"Don't worry! Tonight, it's on me. No gold or silver is too precious to fill the bellies of my friends!"
Shortly after, the bustling sounds from the kitchen began to echo through the tavern. The sizzle of grilling meat, the bubbling of pots, and the rhythmic chopping of the cook on a large board resonated like merry music.
Soon, the tavern maid returned with a large tray laden with food. In an instant, the table was overflowing with bountiful dishes.
The smoked sausages' exteriors were smooth and richly browned from roasting, glistening invitingly. Their savory, salty aroma tickled the nostrils, whetting the appetite. Arenrore carefully picked up a piece and took a bite. The juices burst forth from within like an explosion, and a satisfied smile spread across his face in an instant.
"Mmm, this flavor! Truly perfection... Now, friends, take your fill!"
Gravel cautiously cut into the chicken simmered long with rice and took a bite. The chicken's flesh yielded tenderly at the mere touch of the fork, and the deep broth's aroma filled his nose and mouth completely.
"This is incredibly tender. I can taste the profound richness in the broth."
Beside it lay the goose meat, thick cuts sprinkled evenly with deep spices, accompanied by well-stirred green and yellow beans. Rude carefully bit into the goose meat, then slowly nodded.
"Arenrore, with a feast like this, tonight will truly be unforgettable, won't it?"
The liquors that arrived last were especially remarkable. The golden spirit distilled from wine shimmered subtly in the glass, releasing a rich fragrance with each tilt. A single sip sent a fierce warmth down the throat, leaving a lingering depth. In contrast, the transparent liquor teased the nose with juniper berry scent, delivering a refreshing sensation to the palate.
Arenrore raised his glass, gazing at everyone, and boomed.
"Argh... This taste! My friends, this is the essence you can only savor in the adventurers' streets!"
His proclamation drew applause and laughter from several patrons in the tavern. The dishes on the table were creating a moment like an unforgettable festival for all.
After a few more rounds of drinks, Arenrore's face flushed red. Downing another gulp, he set his glass down on the table and began to grumble.
"Ah... Urgh. That speciesist elf! Rude, you wouldn't understand. This ambiguous displeasure of having half your existence ignored."
Rude set his glass down and burst into laughter.
"Again with Cilia? What on earth happened with her to get you so fired up?"
Arenrore slammed his glass on the table and waved his hands wildly in the air. His gestures were exaggerated, but they brimmed with indignation.
"She usually says the elves' phrase, 'Sila lumen tielbo!' — 'The spirits illuminate our meeting with light.' But to me, she said, 'Phin sila lephe lumen tielbo!' — 'A small spirit illuminates our meeting with half-light.' So… only half of me is welcome, isn't it?"
Gravel bit his lips as if suppressing laughter.
"Isn't that an overinterpretation? It seemed like Cilia was just joking."
Arenrore shook his head vigorously and waved his hand dismissively.
"No, no! Gravel, you don't know Cilia well. Her jokes are never just jokes. She always hides barbs at the end of her words with that prickly face."
Rude set his glass down and said.
"Cilia is like that, yeah. But it seems like she's especially harsh with you?"
Arenrore pointed at Rude and exclaimed.
"Exactly! That's it! She's particularly picky with me alone. You wouldn't know, but just the other day, she called me a 'half-baked archer.' Even after witnessing my splendid bowmanship several times before!"
Rude, unable to hold back his laughter, said.
"Ahaha! You're better with a bow than I am. And she calls you half-baked?"
Arenrore placed a hand on his chest, adopting a grave expression.
"Indeed! And when I precisely hit an apple on a tree with my arrow, do you know what she said?"
Gravel raised the corner of his mouth with curious eyes and asked.
"What did she say?"
Arenrore mimicked Cilia's voice.
"'As a half-elf, that balanced accuracy is commendable. But can that balance truly lead to admirable finesse?'"
Gravel burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! That's really harsh, isn't it?"
Arenrore waved one hand and continued.
"And that's not all? A few days ago, seeing me with my bow, she said, 'That bow looks quite sturdy. Sturdy enough for even a half-elf to draw properly—must be the maker's skill, or perhaps the bow is just kind?'"
Rude clutched his stomach and roared with laughter.
"Hahaha! That's so Cilia. But maybe it means you're special? The fact that she's only like that with you—it's because you stand out to her."
Arenrore propped his chin, wearing a sullen expression, and muttered.
"It'd be nice to think that way, but every time she throws those jabs, I can't endure without this liquor. You all wouldn't get it—the peculiar humiliation of having your balanced self praised at every turn."
Iris tilted her glass, smiling as she said.
"Arenrore, perhaps Cilia really does like you in her own special way."
Arenrore slowly lifted his head and said.
"If that's true... I might forgive her prickliness with this one drink. What do you all think?"
Everyone burst into laughter and raised their glasses high.
Time passed once more. Not long after new dishes and glasses were placed on the table.
Rude, still listening to Arenrore's complaints with a laugh, suddenly set down his held glass and clapped his hands.
"Yes! Damu! It just came to me!"
Arenrore tilted his head curiously and asked.
"What's the matter, Rude? You look like you've had an epiphany."
Rude smiled and looked at Gravel.
"Gravel, you said you're going to Damu to meet someone?"
Gravel looked at Rude in surprise and replied.
"It's a merchant named Benarr in Damu..."
Rude nodded immediately and continued.
"Ah, right. I saw it this morning. On the adventurers' guild quest board, right at the top of the 'Escort Requests' section, in big letters."
He recalled the morning at the guild and said.
"Hmm... It's always bustling at that hour. Warriors clanking in their armor, anxious newcomers, and fights for space in front of the board. The guy in front of me had a weapon on his back that got in the way, so I barely craned my neck to read it."
Rude mimed writing letters in the air with his finger as he recited the request.
"'Personal Escort. Destination: Benarr's Mansion in Damu. Reward: 15 gold coins.' Or was it... No, higher than 15 gold, maybe..."
Rude took a sip from the remaining glass on the table and continued.
"Anyway, it mentioned an introduction from a party? But how about meeting Benarr through an official guild request instead of just a recommendation?"
Gravel held his glass, lost in thought. His expression grew serious, and he soon nodded.
Gravel quietly set his glass on the table. His gaze lingered on the glass, but his mind was rapidly calculating.
'A figure like Benarr would prioritize trust, naturally. Relying solely on Dallen's introduction to approach him is too reckless. Moreover, through a request, I can at least secure basic credibility.'
He sighed and opened his mouth.
"Rude, you make a good point. Even with an acquaintance's introduction, approaching formally via a request would be far safer and more reliable."
Gravel tapped the table with his fingertip and continued.
"A magnate like Benarr is likely sensitive about meeting strangers. Even with an introduction, showing up unannounced could lead to dangerous misunderstandings. Approaching through a request allows for a natural meeting."
Rude set down his glass and said.
"Yeah, that way it's definitely safer. If we end up escorting on the way to Damu, conversations with the client could yield valuable information about this Benarr magnate."
Gravel smiled and nodded with determination.
"I need to look into that request right away. I should accept it as soon as possible and start preparations."
"Huh? Now? Isn't that a bit too hasty right now?"
As Gravel rose from his seat, Rude stood up after him and exclaimed.
Gravel replied with a resolute expression.
"Now is the soonest. There's no time to delay."
Everyone fell silent for a moment at his determined demeanor, but soon Arenrore burst into laughter and rose from his seat.
"Excellent! Then I'll hold this night's merry glass in your stead, Gravel! Go handle what you must and return."
Gravel bowed lightly and concluded.
"I'll be back soon. Iris, you don't need to follow. It'll be quick. Nia, too."
As his figure disappeared out of the tavern, those remaining quietly admired his decisiveness and raised their glasses once more.
With Gravel gone, Arenrore leaned back in his chair and tilted his glass.
"Such swift resolve. That firm attitude. An ordinary person would have lingered over one more drink."
Iris nodded and said.
"Lord Gravel always makes decisions quickly."
Arenrore raised his glass toward her.
"Indeed! A toast to his decisiveness! And until he returns, I'll empty the remaining liquor here!"
He thought that any nagging about the stairs could be saved for their next meeting as he walked on.